# LambdaCore copyright

dave@ipac.caltech.edu (dave@ipac.caltech.edu)
Fri, 30 Aug 1996 13:22:49 PDT

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    My understanding of this question, and how the discussion went last time
    around is that the LambdaCore is a collective work given to the world by
    its many authors.  The implicit copyright thus allows it to be used for
    any purpose.  It is in the job description of LambdaMOO wizards that one
    of the duties is to prepare core databases.  The core dbs are publicly
    available at parcftp, so free distribution is obviously the intent.  Perhaps
    LambdaWiz should write a copyright notice that makes all this explicit
    for the next core release.

    Now for the few parts of the core that have explicit copyrights, the prudent
    thing is to obtain permission for use from the copyright holders.  If you
    are providing a db for sale or for commercial purposes it is wise to be
    prudent, if only to satisfy your customers.  That these parts are bundled
    with the rest of the core means that you may not be required to do so.
    The authors of those parts should probably pipe in and say what they want.

    Not a lawyer, so advice worth what you paid.  But general principle applies:
    err on the side of caution.